A former Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, has announced plans to increase the number of health insurance beneficiaries under the Nneka Chidoka Outreach programme in Obosi Community from 700 to 1,000 persons.
Chidoka made the assertion on Tuesday in his Obosi country home, located in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, while addressing the Ositadimma Age Grade.
The group, comprising youths and women born between 1995 and 1996, had adopted his name.
Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, acknowledged the group for bearing his name, stating that the health initiative was in partnership with the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency.
He also made a cash donation to the group, emphasising that this gesture was “in line with his commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare and supporting state-led programmes that promote public welfare.”
He confirmed that no fewer than 300 members of the ‘Ositadimma Age Grade’ would be immediately enrolled into the health insurance scheme, with an annual premium of N12,500 per person.
Chidoka underscored the importance of health insurance, saying, “Health insurance is not a luxury, it is a civic right and a public good, I am proud to support the Anambra government’s efforts to make quality healthcare accessible to our people.”
He also unveiled a four-point programme for the ‘Age Grade’, designed to facilitate their long-term contribution to community development.
The programme includes full health insurance and the establishment of a cooperative savings scheme, among other initiatives.
“This will enable the group to undertake a significant community project by their 10th anniversary.
“We will also have group life insurance to provide social protection and ensure mutual support in times of adversity and set up public school monitoring to ensure that no child in Obosi is left behind,” he said.
He described the age-grade system as a unique Igbo institution for social progress urging them to sustain the tradition through innovation, collective responsibility, and service.
“Your golden decade of ages 25 and 35 is your foundation, use it for family, community and country,” he said.